Army's Ability To Mobilize and Use Retirees as Planned Is Doubtful

Highlights

GAO reviewed the Army's plan for mobilizing retirees in the event of war or a national emergency requiring a full mobilization. On the basis of this plan, the Army has preassigned about 90,000 retirees to report to military installations within 7 days of a full mobilization.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of the Army	The Secretary of the Army should require the Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center to periodically survey a random sample of retired personnel to obtain current and historical information within the last 6 or 12 months on factors having a potential effect on retirees' availability. The results should be used to develop more reliable estimates of retirees who will report for duty upon full mobilization.	Closed – Implemented When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Army	The Secretary of the Army should determine, for preassigned retiree positions, the degree of skill deterioration over time and the amount and type of retraining that would be needed to sustain desired skills.	Closed – Implemented When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Army	The Secretary of the Army should, when skill deficiencies exist, establish programs for retirees to obtain needed training on an ongoing basis or rescind preassignments.	Closed – Implemented When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Army	The Secretary of the Army should oversee and monitor the plans and procedures developed by major commands and installations for assigning, using, and supporting retirees.	Closed – Implemented When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Full Report

Full Report (13 pages)

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Topics

National Defense

Defense contingency planningMilitary trainingMobilizationPersonnel managementRetireesRetired Army personnelMilitary forcesMilitary manpowerStatistical dataData errors